Rookie Scouting Profile: Jayden Daniels

FullTime Fantasy Rookie Scouting Profile: Jayden Daniels

Jayden Daniels (QB) LSU

Ht.	Wt.	40-Time	NFL Draft	Dynasty ADP	NFL Comp
6-4	210	4.50*	Top 5	1.12	Deshaun Watson

*estimate

College Production

An extremely productive signal-caller out of Cajon High School in San Bernadino, California, Daniels was ranked as the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the nation, drawing a ton of FBS interest. Ultimately, Daniels chose Arizona State, enrolling on January 7, 2019. Daniels started 12 games that fall and posted a nifty 17-2 TD-to-INT ratio. During the 2020 COVID season, Daniels’s passing production dipped but he emerged as an elite rusher. Those trends continued in 2021. Daniels only tossed 10 touchdowns versus 10 interceptions and 2,380 yards but ran for 710 yards and six additional scores.

In March 2022, Daniels transferred to LSU and set career-high numbers in pass attempts (388), completions (266), and rushing scores (11) while guiding the Tigers to a 10-4 record and 63-7 destruction of Purdue in the 2023 Citrus Bowl. In fifth and final collegiate campaign, Daniels went nuclear. He ranked second in FBS with 40 passing TDs and led the position with a career-best 1,134 rushing yards. Daniels concluded his collegiate career with All-SEC and All-American honors and was named the AP College Football Player of the Year. He also won a ton of hardware, including the Heisman Trophy, Davy O’Brien, Walter Camp, Manning, and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm awards.

Strengths

• Elite dual-threat. Daniels is an exceptional rushing threat and can stand in the pocket, read defenses, and consistently hit all the throws.

• Team captain and leader. Daniels also has extensive experience, starting five seasons with two different FBS squads. High character and football IQ.

• Poised in the pocket. Daniels is willing and capable of going through progressions and can accurately deliver the ball into small openings.

• Good feel for avoiding pressure and instincts of when to take off and run.

• Rushing upside is among the best in football. Also adept at throwing on the run and on rollouts.

• Field general. Good situational awareness and protects the ball extremely well.

• In 2023, led nation with a 95.6 QBR.

Concerns

• Thin frame combined with his running frequency will lead to durability concerns.

• Below average wingspan and hand size.

• Motion leads to reduced deep-ball accuracy and throwing distance. Could be improved with coaching.

• Will need an RPO/spread offense built around him to reach his potential.

• In 2023, Daniels was only pressured on 25% of his dropbacks.

Fantasy Outlook

Looking at Daniels’s gaudy 2023 numbers tells you why there is so much fantasy interest in Jayden Daniels. He’s an elite dual-threat option who is a lock to go in the top-3 of the 2024 NFL Draft. That means he will start right away and the rushing potential alone means Daniels can compete for QB1 numbers this season.

Although he’s going to be selected high, one important element is fit. With new staffs in New England and Washington, the franchise that invests in Daniels must be willing to build their entire offense around his strengths, rather than try to fit the rookie into an existing scheme.

I liked Daniels as my QB2 in this class and breaking down the film confirmed that. Admittedly, that had more to do with hesitation on the other prospects than confirmation of Daniels. The concerns over one out-of-this-world season are warranted.

Still, I think Daniels is a good fit in today’s fantasy landscape and we saw how productive Anthony Richardson could be as a fantasy option right away.

In redraft, Daniels is a high-upside QB2 but may not be drafted in shallower leagues. In Superflex formats, he is a QB2 that I would go out of my way to target. That goes the same for rookie drafts. Daniels is a high-upside option that I would feel comfortable drafting toward the bottom of Round 1.

Other Rookie Profiles

See where Jayden Daniels ranks in Jody’s 2024 rookie rankings.